Tuesday, July 31, 2007

A couple weeks ago, CPurl tagged me to follow in Bezzie's footsteps and show my sock drawer. Ta-da!So sad. Only two little ol' pairs of socks. Rowan has more handknit socks than me. Dad has the same number! Not to fear, my ever-growing sock yarn stash will help me remedy this situation soon. As soon as I finished my sockapalooza socks, I cast on mini-monkeys in Union Center Knits from Woolgirl. This yarn is so much softer than I thought. I love it! So much so that I ordered a few more skeins this morning with my Yarntini purchase. The colorway of course is one of my favorites, as you can also tell from my recent wristlet purchase from Ashley at Dogged Knits. Love it!

The colorway is Neopolitan and I'm ready to start the heel flap now. These will be one of the pairs I'm hoping to finish for Sock-A-Month4 KAL. Starts tomorrow!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

What a fabulous way to spend a morning! Hanging out and taking a class from Amy Singer, author of No Sheep for You and Big Girl Knits, and more importantly, the woman responsible for one of my favorite things...Knitty!

Love the Tuscany Shawl! Amy is a fabulous teacher and the pattern is so much easier than I thought, especially when Amy explains it. And of course, how can you not be happy at Purlescence. Just a great day. Hope yours was just as fabulous.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Dear Sockapalooza Pal,Here are your STR Love-in-Idleness socks. I know. I know. The color is not pretty at all. Yes, I know. The BFF sock pattern by Cookie A. is mediocre. And they probably won't fit. Because they seem to fit me absolutely perfectly, and I'm sure your feet aren't exactly the same size as mine. Nope, just impossible. I apologize in advance. I would have made you a different pair, but there is a deadline. Feel free to send them back though and I will gladly replace them with a pair that is not so soft and squishy. Sincerely,Irishgirlieknits

So, what do you think? You think I can convince her that this is not a gorgeous colorway? And that the pattern is kinda blah? Just teasing. I've already ordered a skein of Love-in-Idleness for my stash and I hope my pal LOVES them as much as I do! And I loved this pattern too!

July has seemed to be the month of socks. I started with three socks on the needles and now have none. Off to go remedy that situation!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

That was what the back of my t-shirt said from our Kepler's Midnight Magic and Wizardry Party Friday night! Rowan hosted a pre-party at our house, with goodie bags and Harry Potter Cake no less, and then we walked to the bookstore. I think one of the best parts is seeing all of the kids dressed up as their favorite characters! We had a great time. Originally, just Rowan was going to get a book and I was going to wait until our Amazon one arrived on Saturday. But after JUST finishing books 5 and 6, well, I wanted to join in the fun too! So, my brother got the Amazon book (which arrived in the cutest packaging I must say) and Rowan and I each got our own books. As anticipated, Rowan finished before me, but it was nice to call her every few chapters and discuss. I stopped talking to her once she got to the last 150 pages, just in case. She was fast asleep Saturday night by the time I finished my book.

No spoilers, just that I absolutely loved the book!

Here's some pictures from Friday night!

Rowan being sorted.

I knit her that scarf four years ago for Christmas. One lucky sister. Notice I don't have a scarf :(

The happiest girl.

They had Quidditch set up for the kids. May I draw your attention to the fact that Ireland won!

And Dani had perfect timing! My Harry Potter Sock Club from Sunshine Yarns arrived Friday afternoon (Rowan split the cost with me because she REALLY wants the Gryffindor socks, like Zknitter!).

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Happy 100 Posts!! If you've read any, you know I'm goofy, so there you go. To celebrate we've had two contests this month. The Malabrigo scarf contest that involved some favorites and the July comments contest (you just had to comment...that was easy!).

And since there were so many fabulous entries I picked another winner... cbknits80! I'm excited you won because I can't figure out who you are...blogger won't give me any clues and you've been leaving me fabulous comments!! Thank you!Cbknits80 is receiving 2 skeins of Misti's new Cotton that is 83% Pima Cotton and 17% Silk! Now for all those comments. I love reading each and every one of them. As does my family too (my brother is the first to ask what the comments were about Little Guy....funny he nevers asks about the knitting...what a proud dad). As promised, you all are getting some of my favorites! I had to say I laughed when dad picked out the first winner!

Ms. Stilaholic Nartian Knits.I laughed because my 1st prize, the one that I hinted at as Rockin, was of course, my favorite, Socks that Rock! I know Nartian will enjoy this skein! Of course, I had to search her blog to make sure she didn't have this colorway (as the initial colorway I was thinking of giving away she already had...girl after my own heart!). The colorway is Waterlilies! Special just for you guys because its not currently available on the website but it happened to be at Purlescense Yarns last week!! Yes, crappy picture, I know. My camera battery died as I was taking this picture. So sad. At least I had one picture to show.

The 2nd prize goes to The Curly Knitter (my fabulous upstream from Spring Fling!).I'll be sending her 3 skeins of my other favorite, Blue Sky Alpacas alpaca yarn, in yummy chocolate. And finally, Turtle, whose recently started a blog that I look forward to reading.She'll be receiving one of my favorite colorways of the Misti Alpaca Handdyes. If everyone who won could email me their address so that I can send you your goodies that would be great (send to irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com).

If you haven't had a chance to read some of the answers to the favorites, here's the post. I loved reading all of them and am still trying to read everyone's blogs. I wanted to compile in one spot the answer to "one of your favorite knitting blogs" so that I (and hopefully some of you) can read some new knitting blogs. I haven't had a chance to read all of them yet, but I look forward to reading them soon (along with all of the new blogs I came across from the participants!).

Here are some of the suggested favorite knitting blogs to check out (in the order they were entered into the contest):

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Remember, I warned you about all things Harry this week. But, I just couldn't cast on the cute book scarves tonight right after finishing Hermione's Dream Socks. So here is a non-WIP. But tomorrow, they shall hopefully be FOs. From my experience with the first one, they are a quick knit. I have to whip up 2-3 by Friday night.I chose instead to cast on my second BFF sock. Just needed a squishy sock on the needles. Of course, they'll have to wait a few days, but I would love to have them done before next WIP Wednesday. We'll see.

Lastly, during 4th of July week I did make some progress on poor little dream swatch, even though I haven't picked it up since. When we last saw dream swatch, I had lost a needle, the one the stitches were on no less. Didn't find the needle, but at least I caught those stitches and knit about 10 inches more on the scarf/head wrap. Another project I really hope to finish by next week. Oh so ambitious.And, in full disclosure, I'm not forgetting about my Tomato, its just umm...still stuck on the vine in the same exact spot. I hope to finish these few things so that I can focus a bit more on it.

Hey, post 99!! Tomorrow I can share my Yarn Pirate Sock Club Booty and while you all are drooling, I'll give you yarn! Contest winners hopefully tomorrow night!! Friday at the latest!!

Project: Hermione's Dream SocksPattern: Priscilla's Dream Socks by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts from Favorite SocksYarn:vanCalcar FlockSock Yarn in the Gryffindor colorway from Woolgirl (note: this sock yarn is what started it all with my love for all things Woolgirl. Zonda helped me find Gryffindor sock yarn and pointed me there and well, my sock stash has been growing ever since...I've yet to post the HipKnits, Posh Yarn....you've been fairly warned!).Started: May 20, 2007Finished: July 17, 2007Modifications: None, except I was using a fingering weight yarn so I followed the woman's size medium pattern and cast on 72 stitchesNew things: I learned the old Norwegian cast on method, short-row heel and toes, and a zig-zag bind off. Pretty cool. Definately would do the pattern again.

Phew! Glad these are done. Now off to knit those little bookmarks. This is post #98!! WIP Wednesday should be #99 and then.....I've got those prizes all picked out!!! I sure know how to drag out a contest (sorry! I thought we'd get here sooner...oh well!! more prizes!! rockin' I tell you!).

Sunday, July 15, 2007

I think Rowan drank some Polyjuice Potion and has transformed herself into me. Why? Because, I promise you, I'm not the sister who is obsessed with all things Harry Potter. All things knitting yes. All things Harry Potter no. I respect obsession (obviously, you have seen my stash). I enjoy Harry Potter. But Rowan is the one who rereads the books, has them memorized, etc. But from reading this blog and from the knitting I've been and will be doing for the next week, I just want to be clear, its probably Rowan and the Polyjuice Potion. I missed WIP Wednesday and YPF because I was trying to finish reading book six of the series and I'm really trying to finish Hermione's Dream Sock for Rowan too. Oh, and Rowan has requested at least three more bookmarks for the pre-pre-release party we are now hosting before the book release party Friday night. I don't recognize this Irishgirlie.

So Muggles, feel free to skip to the YPF below or go to the contest if you haven't already (we're over 15 entries which means more prizes!! And I picked up a nice, rockin' prize at Purlescense Yarns this weekend for all the July commenters contest too!). I apologize for all this HP mania :) I guess we're a bit excited around here. Here's my update on the Hermione's Dream sock. Let's see if I can finish it by midweek so that I can then whip up those bookmarks. And a big thank you again to my fabulous Harry Potter Secret Pal, whom I have now discovered to be Stariel!

And I finished Book Six. I just loved this book. I know I'm probably the last Harry Potter fan in the world to read it, but I'm so glad I read five and six back to back and can now read book seven (okay, truly have no idea the name of the book coming out Friday night...ugh! Rowan would really call me a Muggle now). Also saw The Order of the Phoenix Friday night. Loved it! With all its flaws and all. Talk to Rowan and you'll get more of a discussion. Wait, maybe the potion is wearing off.

For my Muggle friends who are bearing with me and the Harry Potter stuff, here is a gorgeous Socks that Rock colorway that I recently ordered from their website update (along with a few others).

STR mediumweight Crazy Lace Agate

Love it! The colors are so much more vibrant then I envisioned. MMM...summer is here!

Saturday, July 14, 2007

I got my Disco Dancing Summer Swappin Package in the mail today! What, you didn't hear about that swap? Well, the sign-ups were for a very short period of time really. Just teasing. Discoknits was my SP8 for the past few months and I just love her! So when SP9 sign-ups came around her and I discussed whether we would sign-up for this round (its a 3 month commitment). Well, its summer, so we thought we would just sign-up to swap with each other again! Lucky me! My summer fun arrived today!!!

You just know there's going to be good stuff in there.

British heaven!! Disco just got back from a trip abroad and brought back loads of yummies! What, you don't see the cadbury candy bar and mini-hobnobs? Nope, they were devoured by Rowan and I when we went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix tonight (loved it! seriously great day here). I wish this was a scratch and sniff blog. Look in the upper left hand corner and you will see why. A lush soap bar. Did I not just mention this as one of my new favorites?!! Speaking of favorites, have you signed up for the contest?? (If you're a regular reader and didn't that's okay, the comments are being put in a drawing for something that ROCKS!! when we get to post 100!)!!

Here's the yarny goodness that arrived. I was a bit overwhelmed at this point. I know Disco and I have gotten to be really great friends over the past six months, but this was just so unexpected!! A Rowan magazine, a perfect knitting book for all the munchkins in my life, and two new Rowan yarns to try (in my favorite color no less!). And seriously cute sheepie stuff!

And finally, Disco included some gorgeous Koigu! Yummy socks for sure!! I'm going to let her help me figure out what pattern will work well for this. It is sooooo squishy soft!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

What perfect timing that I received my Harry Potter Secret Pal Swap Package by Owl Post today!! Techinally it arrived yesterday, but I didn't get it until I stopped by my house at lunch today. And look at the awesome goodies that arrived!!

My very own Hedwig! I'm so excited!! But also kinda sad, because he is so cute, I'm almost positive that Rowan is going to steal him from me (sisters, what can I say!). Look at those "snitch" markers too! I love those! And Sirius "Black" tea. And best of all, Sunshine Sock yarn, in the Welsh Green Dragon colorway!!!!

I love it!!! Thank you thank you Secret Pal! Can you believe my pal was Malfoy?! I think he was under some sort of charm or spell to be soooo fabulous, considering he's a slytherin and all. I just love Malfoy! Seriously!!! Now off to find out who exactly is transfiguring as Malfoy!